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Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland




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  #16  
Old 31 Dec 2010
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Hehehe, a sheepskin bed ay! Not bad. I ordered a sheepskin for a baby pram the other day, however I don't think I'll fit on that one!

As for the mattress, I'm loving the Exped downmat 7 Deluxe. Comfy, good thickness for me (182 cm x 82 kg) and good width too. Haven't tested it out in the cold yet as its about 35 C and 90 + % humidity here in far north Australia.

Enjoy sleeping!
Rossy.
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  #17  
Old 31 Dec 2010
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The Exped downmat 7 Deluxe worked great for me in the cold , tried it out in Germany in November , and it did drop below zero at night , i got into my 3 season bag naked as a jay bird and slept soundly all night , infact the best nights sleep i have had under canvas, very comfortable and warm .
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  #18  
Old 31 Dec 2010
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As it said criticism was welcome... I bought an exped and it's a waste of space as far as I'm concerned. Too much of a faff to roll back up, takes up an akward amount of space... IMHO basically just a furry lilo. I'd take it somewhere I needed additional insulation from the ground (ie cold-winter camping) but certainly not on any overland trips. Online quotes/reviews stating it's more comfortable than their own beds need to buy a new bed.
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  #19  
Old 1 Jan 2011
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rather than an expensive sheepskin, to keep me warmer on my small thermarest (bought for bicycle touring originally) I have used the dogs vet bed, its great stuff, comfy warm and quick drying. Only problem is the dog then wants to get in the sleeping bag
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  #20  
Old 6 Feb 2011
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Ive used the Therma-rest before and loved it I have been camping my whole life I broke down and got a Therma-rest about a year ago and havent regretted it yet!
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  #21  
Old 12 Feb 2011
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Has anyone used the Thermarest Luxury Map sleeping mat? Being Vegan, I can't buy the Exped mats mentioned (however comfy) as they're made from down. This looks like a good combination of comfort and small (ish) packing size. I don't want anything too thin!
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  #22  
Old 13 Feb 2011
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Originally Posted by Endurodude View Post
Being Vegan, I can't buy the Exped mats mentioned (however comfy) as they're made from down.
I was under the impression that the down isn't stripped from the live animals, but collected from their nests. This make it any easier for you?
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  #23  
Old 13 Feb 2011
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Originally Posted by dave ett View Post
I was under the impression that the down isn't stripped from the live animals, but collected from their nests. This make it any easier for you?
I suspect you'll find that it is stripped from a quite dead animal.

Endurodude,
Does it make any difference that the demise of the said goose wasn't primarily to provide a few handfulls of fluffy feathers for your bed ?

Back onto the subject of the thread. I have always been satisfied with my original thermarest but all this talk of "the best night's sleep I've ever had" and "sleep naked at minus whatever" is making me really want a new one.

Rgds
BYT
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  #24  
Old 13 Feb 2011
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Over the years I have gravitated to using a camp bed. do get the four legged ones, not the three legged. The key to success in any endeavour is to have lots of options. I like to be very warm so my coleman 450 sleeping bag does that even with ice on my cheap dome tent.It is also very roomy. I keep the bottom unzipped as my feet got too warm except in very cold weather. Which for me is below freezing. In warm weather I just sleep on the bag, but I do also carry a sheepskin which I sit on by day and usually sleep on by night.
my tent cost 15 euros 6 or 7 years ago.
my bag cosy near twice that two years ago, I did try a little mummy type bag and although it was small to pack I was never warm enough in it to sleep well.
the bed is £15 from Argos.
Buy 4 Leg Folding Camp Bed with Carry Bag at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for Camp beds, airbeds and camping mats.



anyone else use a camp bed? not the lightest or smallest thing to carry, but usable anywhere. on rocks, thistles and being above ground allows you bag to stay dry should your tent get flooded
Last edited by oldbmw; 26 Apr 2011 at 23:37.
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  #25  
Old 14 Feb 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Endurodude View Post
Has anyone used the Thermarest Luxury Map sleeping mat? Being Vegan, I can't buy the Exped mats mentioned (however comfy) as they're made from down. This looks like a good combination of comfort and small (ish) packing size. I don't want anything too thin!
Exped makes a Synmat with the only difference to the Dolwnmat that the filling is synthetic instead of goose stuff.

Niklas
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  #26  
Old 14 Feb 2011
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Expeds
My wife and I are using Expeds 7dl on our overland trip. We both find them very easy to roll up and they are the most comfy camp bed I have slept on, we also have the Thermarest Prolite beds we use when at home in OZ and they are chalk & cheese when it comes to comfort.
As for the price CHEAP...CHEAP....CHEAP !

Cheers
Paul
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  #27  
Old 26 Apr 2011
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Vote for the ProLite Thermarest
My wife and blew up every air mattress they had at REI in Atlanta and tried them all, nothing seemed as comfortable and rugged (simple) as the Thermarest Pro-Lite Air Mattress (we got the full length - tried the short ones and did not sleep near as well).

My .02 worth
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  #28  
Old 26 Apr 2011
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Have used the Thermarest (Camp) for over 25yrs in -35C to +30C while hunting, snow machining, fire fighting... A bit cumbersome, bulky and slippery but first rate until daughter gave me an Exped Downmat7 a couple of years ago for my touring. Love it! Compact, warm and cradles better although takes longer to firm up. Have retired the thermarest.
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  #29  
Old 27 Apr 2011
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I have recently bought this one, packs up small and is very comfortable, but youy have to inflate (I carry a small pump)
2.5 inches thick and great for camping in the winter.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Trekker - Lightweight, go-anywhere air mattress comfort.

I have used it six times this year and get a great nights sleep. Not cheap but then my comfort comes first.
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  #30  
Old 27 Apr 2011
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3 months with the Exped
So far the exped is amazing! Have been in COLD places and been warm. Its comfortable. Its small. Light. easy to pack and great exercise to blow up! If you take precaution with where you lay it you will never have problems with leaks! A great mattress and great COMFORT!!!

V happy.
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